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Takahito Mura skating to victory. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)
The Skate Canada competition proceeded mostly as expected Saturday, except for Japanese skater Takahito Mura snatching men's figure skating by almost 11 points.
After the free program, the overall scores were in. Two-time European champion Javier Fernandez of Spain had the lead in the men's competition after the short program, but Mura had a 173.24 for the free program, beating Fernandez out of the top spot. Mura had 255.81 overall, with Fernandez in second with 244.87, and US skater Max Aaron in third.
Canadian Andrei Rogozine made ninth place, while Canadian bronze medalist Liam Firus was 11th.
Meagen Duhamel and Eric Radford waving at fans. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)
Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford won their first Grand Prix title on Saturday in the pairs with a season's best, 210.74. They are the first Canadian pair since 2007 to win a Grand Prix, though they've had three silvers before. In second was the Chinese team Sui Wenjing and Cong Han with 184.64, and third was the Russians Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov.
Canadians Kirsten Moore-Towers and Miachel Marino made sixth place with 158.82, and another Canadian pair, Brittany Jones and Joshua Reagan, got seventh with 146.77, a personal best.
Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje in the free skate portion. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)
Canadian teams also won gold and silver in the Ice Dance competition. Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje won their first Grand Prix gold with 171.10 after a string of seconds and thirds. Meanwhile, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier went up two places from the short to win silver. Bronze went to the US team of Madison Hubbel and Zachary Donohue, who had second after the short. Canadians Elixabeth Paradis and Francois-Xavier Ouellete finished seventh of eight.
Russian skater Anna Pogorilaya skating to a win in the free program. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)
For ladies' figure skating, Anna Pogorilaya of Russia won gold with 191.81. In second was American Ashley Wagner with186.00, Satoko Miyahara of Japan won bronze with 181.75.
Skate Canada isn't leaving Prospera Place yet, however. Sunday will be the Exhibition Gala, and you can still buy tickets online.
Click the image below or here to view more images from day two of the event.
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